BROOKHAVEN — Brookhaven Academy senior goalkeeper Ainsley Orr walked across the soccer field grinning ear to ear Tuesday afternoon. Her cheerful demeanor came before a tough 8-3 loss to Presbyterian Christian School. 

“I’m surprised you’re not wearing shorts,” she said as she walked past this writer. It was miserably hot with no escape from the sun. Fans may have been equally surprised to see her knee brace was gone from her left knee which she injured over the summer. 

Orr said she was cleared to get her knee brace off Tuesday. It was good news and a good day for her. 

“The brace restricted my movement and ability to bend my knee,” Orr said. “I can now bend it easier and the brace is not sliding down my leg.”

She tore her ACL exactly 39 days ago on June 28. Orr was at a Mississippi College Elite Camp for basketball. She said she went up for a routine layup and when she landed her knee popped out and back in. 

Her knee was unable to bend as she was on the court. 

“It hurt. I cried,” Orr said. “Recovery has been long and hard. It is hard to come and watch games knowing I can’t help my team. Especially, since I’m a sports fanatic. My life revolves around sports.” 

Orr had to get reconstructive surgery where doctors attached an anchor pin to her tendon and had her knee stitched up. She is out for the soccer season and will likely miss a part of basketball season. Her hope is to be healed in October but it could be November. 

Right now, all she can do is scream and yell from the sidelines or coach up her teammates. She is the mentor for seventh grade goalkeeper Elizabeth Durr. 

“I wanted to be here and be an example,” Orr said. “If you are hurt you can still be a leader and be a part of the team.”